Frost Dates for 39327 — Decatur, Mississippi

Half of springs at Newton Exp Stn, MS see their last 32°F night by March 25; only one in ten is past it by March 4, and one in ten still has one after April 12. Planting tender crops after April 2 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 6 20%, and after April 12 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 53% of the 96 Mississippi stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 2 in half of years, as early as October 20 one year in ten, and holds off past November 20 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 15; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 28, 15 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 222 days in a typical year, shorter than at 80% of the 96 Mississippi stations; it reaches 247 days one year in ten and falls short of 198 one year in ten. On average 64 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 14 days longer, to about April 8, and return around October 25. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 66%.

July is the warmest month at Newton Exp Stn, MS, averaging 93°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 58°F and 33°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to February (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 89% of years and April still brings one in 34% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,780 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 54% of the 96 Mississippi stations. 41% of them (2,352) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 969. Precipitation totals 58.3 inches a year, most in April (6.1") and least in September (3.2"); May to September bring 37% of it.

The nearest other station, Newton 5 ENE, MS, 8 miles south of Decatur, has a last frost 1 day earlier (March 24), a first frost 3 days later (November 5), a season 6 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 7 of 28 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Newton Exp Stn, MS, 7.7 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 39327 is 8 miles from Newton Exp Stn, MS, which stands at 349 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 39345 (Newton). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 39327 in zone 8b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 15 to 20°F (-9.4 to -6.7°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.